Letter: Brookline brought in 346 kW of new solar

Tuesday

Mar 18, 2014 at 9:25 AM

Thanks to the people of Brookline, the first round of the Patrick administrationís Solarize Massachusetts program was a resounding success.The group purchasing program, which helps to make solar more affordable, is a joint venture of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources launched in 10 communities across the state last year. The program generated 551 solar contracts signed statewide, representing 3.8 megawatts of clean, renewable energy. In Brookline, residents and businesses have contracted 346 kilowatts of new solar, saving hundreds of dollars annually on their electric bills.The programís local volunteer coordinators, Werner Lohe and Keske Toyofuku, were key to this success. Lara Curtis Hayesí support was also invaluable to this effort, bridging the gap between state agencies and municipal officials and Brookline residents.We simply could not have seen these results without the hard work of volunteers, advocates and municipal leaders on the ground in Brookline. Thanks to its leadership, Brookline will pave the way towards a cleaner energy future for the next generation. ó Alicia Barton, CEO, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and Mark Sylvia, commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources